Other Weekly Drabbles #6-10
3/9/2011: Wednesday A Most Unusual Moon
Prompt: For today, your challenge is to write something inspired by a fanciful picture of a brilliant star and the moon with a thin crescent at the bottom lit up.
Time Period: One of Victor and Alice's dates, likely post-Secundus
Notes: A dialogue-only fic between Victor and Alice (in that order). Actually, that picture above inspired me to think about the sky that appears when Alice is in the Skool of "American McGee's Alice," which has childlike five-pointed stars that look like they're made of crayon, and a moon that resembles the Cheshire Cat's grin. After that, things just flowed.
“Do you know what I think the moon looks like tonight?”
“What?”
“The Cheshire Cat’s grin. Look at the way it’s shining. His smile glows almost as bright in dim light, I’d swear.”
“I’ve always thought so too. Too bad it doesn’t have a pair of stars above it to make a proper picture. That one bright one is too far away to be of any use.”
“Too bad we can’t go up there and just draw our own. . . . Why are you giggling?”
“I’m picturing a sky full of hand-drawn five-pointed stars now. You know, like children do.”
“Oh! That is rather amusing. Bet it would look rather pretty, too. . . . Alice?”
“Yes, Victor?”
“Is there any place around here that sells black paper or canvas? And paint that glows?”
“I don’t know, but I think I would like to find out.”
3/22/2011: Twosday Seconds: Second Helping
Prompt: For today, tell us about two times when you had a second.
Time Period: Pre-"Secundus" party Victor and his parents attended
Notes: Being a Twosday, I wrote two ficlets for this, which shall be presented separately since that's how they're listed on Victor's journal. Victor will provide the context for this almost-drabble:
This was at a ball we attended about – three years ago? Anyway, I was really quite hungry that night – I'd managed to miss both dinner and tea that day. But I'll admit to having what one might call a 'hollow leg' even at the best of times. (Largely because it amuses his mun)
They didn’t really notice when he went back for his second helping. The third helping caused a few raised eyebrows, but nothing more. The fourth helping prompted some furrowed brows and questioning looks.
But when Victor took a fifth helping of food from the buffet table, Mrs. Candlemaker couldn’t help herself: “Goodness, where does he store it all?”
And Mrs. Van Dort, overhearing, muttered, “You’re not even the second hostess to ask that.”
3/22/2011: Twosday Seconds: Second Friends
Prompt: For today, tell us about two times when you had a second.
Time Period: Anytime in "Secundus"
Notes: Again, let's let Victor give the notes:
Barney I've mentioned before (mun: in previous non-fic prompts) – he was the son of one of Father's workers, and he used to come and play with me sometimes before we moved into our mansion. After we moved, though, he stopped coming to visit. The rest of the children didn't like me much, so yes, during most of my childhood, my best friend was Scraps. After he died, I couldn't see ever having another friend like that. But after Doc and Marty came along. . .they're wonderful successors to him, I assure you.
Victor had been quite sure that he would only have one best friend in his life. He didn’t get on with any of the other village boys – whatever brief companionship he’d had with Barney had long ago vanished. The village girls didn’t want to give him the time of day. His parents were his parents – he couldn’t be best friends with them. And while he liked the servants, particularly Mayhew, the class barrier seemed just a bit too large to allow for true best-friendship. That left him with only his dog to claim the title. And while Scraps had been the perfect pet, sometimes Victor had wondered about having a friend who could actually answer your conversation in words.
Then he found himself in the company of a Touched and his Igor after an accidental abduction via train. And after some time working with them, helping them with Inventions, and just plain sharing a roof with them, he realized that, somehow, they’d become his new best friends.
They would always be second-best after Scraps, of course. But it was definitely a close thing.
4/26/2011: Twosday This Way, That Way – Victor's Perspective
Prompt: Tonight we invite you to tell us two versions of the same story.
Time Period: December 1879, right before Secundus (which starts in January 1880 for reference)
Notes: Another "one prompt, two stories" post! So, what was Victor thinking when Nell dropped the bombshell that he was soon to be married?
“Incidentally, Victor, we have an announcement to make.”
I look up from my tea, to see Mother smiling at me. This is a rare enough sight that it piques my curiosity. What is she so happy about? “Yes, Mother?”
She grins brightly, sharing a brief glance with Father before continuing. “The Everglots have agreed to let you marry their daughter! You’re going to be wed in about a month!”
. . .I’m what?!
My shock must have shown on my face, because Mother frowns at me. “What’s with you now?”
“I – I – w-wed?” I stammer out. What’s going on here? Did my parents just tell me I’m going to marry someone out of the blue? Surely there’s been some mistake. . . .
“Yes, wed! Ourselves and the Everglots have come to an agreement – we need the standing, and they apparently need a bit of a loan – so you’re going to marry their daughter,” Mother says, sounding absolutely thrilled. “Imagine it, Victor! You’re going to wed the descendant of a Grand Duke!”
Oh God. They’ve arranged a marriage for me. They’ve arranged a marriage for me to the daughter of the Everglots. A woman I’ve never even spoken to – goodness, I don’t even know if I’ve even met her face to face! I can feel my teacup start to shake in my hand. Married. I’m going to get married. I’m only nineteen, how can I get married?! “W-when did t-this come about?” I blurt, still unable to wrap my mind around the idea.
“Oh, we’ve been discussing it all through December,” Father puts in, smiling benevolently. “We finalized things shortly before Christmas.”
And I’m only hearing about it now?! A flicker of anger flares up in me, only to die in the face of my increasing nervousness. No, this can’t be happening. I can’t get married. Not yet. I’m not prepared for it in the slightest. There must be something I can say that’ll change their minds. “M-Mother, Father, I – I don’t–” I start.
“Don’t? Victor, there’s no ‘don’t’ about it,” Mother cuts me off, voice cold. “You can’t say you won’t do it. Think about our social standing! Everything’s all settled, anyway. It would be a terrible scandal if you refused now.”
Her tone says it all – the subject is closed. I nod weakly and look down into my tea, feeling my stomach trying to tie itself into a knot. Married. To a woman I don’t even know.
I’ll try to speak to them again later – they have to see I’m just not ready.
4/26/2011: Twosday This Way, That Way – Nell's Perspective
Prompt: Tonight we invite you to tell us two versions of the same story.
Time Period: December 1879, right before Secundus (which starts in January 1880 for reference)
Notes: Another "one prompt, two stories" post! So, what was Nell thinking when she dropped the bombshell that Victor was soon to be married?
“Incidentally, Victor, we have an announcement to make.”
I can’t help but grin at Victor as he looks up from his tea. I’m just so excited! William and I have been waiting to tell him this since before Christmas – I was all for telling him the minute we all came to an agreement, but William thought it might be a bit much for him right before a holiday. And I have to agree, our boy has the worst nerves of anyone I’ve ever seen. But he’ll be excited about this, I know it! “Yes Mother?” he asks, obviously curious.
I glance at William, seeing the happiness reflected in his eyes. This is the big moment! “The Everglots have agreed to let you marry their daughter! You’re going to be wed in about a month!” I almost squeal (but only almost – squealing is not for those who are soon to join the upper classes).
Victor’s reaction is rather less than satisfactory. He stares at me, shock written all over his features. I can’t help frowning – what’s wrong? Did he not understand what I just said? “What’s with you now?”
“I – I – w-wed?” he stammers out – ugh, I hate that habit of his. He really needs to get that tongue of his under control. And why does he sound so – so frightened about the whole prospect? Doesn’t he know what an honor this is?
Actually, perhaps he doesn’t. Victor never pays any proper attention to the noble classes, silly boy that he is. I’ve told him time and time again he can’t spend all his time with the butterflies. . . . Still, maybe it is best to explain the situation a bit more. “Yes, wed! Ourselves and the Everglots have come to an agreement – we need the standing, and they apparently need a bit of a loan – so you’re going to marry their daughter,” I say proudly. Perhaps it’s a bit wrong of me to be so glad that the Everglots are having financial troubles, but I can’t quite bring myself to care. “Imagine it, Victor! You’re going to wed the descendant of a Grand Duke!” Finally, William and I will have real standing in this community! Nobody could accuse us of being uncouth when we’ve been joined to this family!
Victor’s still looking inappropriately nervous – he’s even rattling his teacup! For goodness’s sake, will he ever get over his nerves? I’m so tired of him looking like a fool in front of others. And there’s not even anything to be nervous about here! “W-when did t-this come about?” he asks abruptly.
“Oh, we’ve been discussing it all through December,” William answers, with his usual smile. “We finalized things shortly before Christmas.” A better gift I couldn’t ask for, I might add.
Victor continues to shake. “M-Mother, Father, I – I don’t–”
He’s not. He’s not actually saying that he doesn’t – the little ingrate! After all the trouble we went through to arrange this! “Don’t? Victor, there’s no ‘don’t’ about it,” I tell him coldly, stopping him right there. “You can’t say you won’t do it. Think about our social standing! Everything’s all settled, anyway. It would be a terrible scandal if you refused now.”
That silences him – he nods briefly, then stares down into his tea. I huff and take a sip from my own cup, wondering how on earth I managed to give birth to a boy like that.
Perhaps it’ll be best if Miss Everglot doesn’t meet him until the last possible second.
Prompt: For today, your challenge is to write something inspired by a fanciful picture of a brilliant star and the moon with a thin crescent at the bottom lit up.
Time Period: One of Victor and Alice's dates, likely post-Secundus
Notes: A dialogue-only fic between Victor and Alice (in that order). Actually, that picture above inspired me to think about the sky that appears when Alice is in the Skool of "American McGee's Alice," which has childlike five-pointed stars that look like they're made of crayon, and a moon that resembles the Cheshire Cat's grin. After that, things just flowed.
“Do you know what I think the moon looks like tonight?”
“What?”
“The Cheshire Cat’s grin. Look at the way it’s shining. His smile glows almost as bright in dim light, I’d swear.”
“I’ve always thought so too. Too bad it doesn’t have a pair of stars above it to make a proper picture. That one bright one is too far away to be of any use.”
“Too bad we can’t go up there and just draw our own. . . . Why are you giggling?”
“I’m picturing a sky full of hand-drawn five-pointed stars now. You know, like children do.”
“Oh! That is rather amusing. Bet it would look rather pretty, too. . . . Alice?”
“Yes, Victor?”
“Is there any place around here that sells black paper or canvas? And paint that glows?”
“I don’t know, but I think I would like to find out.”
3/22/2011: Twosday Seconds: Second Helping
Prompt: For today, tell us about two times when you had a second.
Time Period: Pre-"Secundus" party Victor and his parents attended
Notes: Being a Twosday, I wrote two ficlets for this, which shall be presented separately since that's how they're listed on Victor's journal. Victor will provide the context for this almost-drabble:
This was at a ball we attended about – three years ago? Anyway, I was really quite hungry that night – I'd managed to miss both dinner and tea that day. But I'll admit to having what one might call a 'hollow leg' even at the best of times. (Largely because it amuses his mun)
They didn’t really notice when he went back for his second helping. The third helping caused a few raised eyebrows, but nothing more. The fourth helping prompted some furrowed brows and questioning looks.
But when Victor took a fifth helping of food from the buffet table, Mrs. Candlemaker couldn’t help herself: “Goodness, where does he store it all?”
And Mrs. Van Dort, overhearing, muttered, “You’re not even the second hostess to ask that.”
3/22/2011: Twosday Seconds: Second Friends
Prompt: For today, tell us about two times when you had a second.
Time Period: Anytime in "Secundus"
Notes: Again, let's let Victor give the notes:
Barney I've mentioned before (mun: in previous non-fic prompts) – he was the son of one of Father's workers, and he used to come and play with me sometimes before we moved into our mansion. After we moved, though, he stopped coming to visit. The rest of the children didn't like me much, so yes, during most of my childhood, my best friend was Scraps. After he died, I couldn't see ever having another friend like that. But after Doc and Marty came along. . .they're wonderful successors to him, I assure you.
Victor had been quite sure that he would only have one best friend in his life. He didn’t get on with any of the other village boys – whatever brief companionship he’d had with Barney had long ago vanished. The village girls didn’t want to give him the time of day. His parents were his parents – he couldn’t be best friends with them. And while he liked the servants, particularly Mayhew, the class barrier seemed just a bit too large to allow for true best-friendship. That left him with only his dog to claim the title. And while Scraps had been the perfect pet, sometimes Victor had wondered about having a friend who could actually answer your conversation in words.
Then he found himself in the company of a Touched and his Igor after an accidental abduction via train. And after some time working with them, helping them with Inventions, and just plain sharing a roof with them, he realized that, somehow, they’d become his new best friends.
They would always be second-best after Scraps, of course. But it was definitely a close thing.
4/26/2011: Twosday This Way, That Way – Victor's Perspective
Prompt: Tonight we invite you to tell us two versions of the same story.
Time Period: December 1879, right before Secundus (which starts in January 1880 for reference)
Notes: Another "one prompt, two stories" post! So, what was Victor thinking when Nell dropped the bombshell that he was soon to be married?
“Incidentally, Victor, we have an announcement to make.”
I look up from my tea, to see Mother smiling at me. This is a rare enough sight that it piques my curiosity. What is she so happy about? “Yes, Mother?”
She grins brightly, sharing a brief glance with Father before continuing. “The Everglots have agreed to let you marry their daughter! You’re going to be wed in about a month!”
. . .I’m what?!
My shock must have shown on my face, because Mother frowns at me. “What’s with you now?”
“I – I – w-wed?” I stammer out. What’s going on here? Did my parents just tell me I’m going to marry someone out of the blue? Surely there’s been some mistake. . . .
“Yes, wed! Ourselves and the Everglots have come to an agreement – we need the standing, and they apparently need a bit of a loan – so you’re going to marry their daughter,” Mother says, sounding absolutely thrilled. “Imagine it, Victor! You’re going to wed the descendant of a Grand Duke!”
Oh God. They’ve arranged a marriage for me. They’ve arranged a marriage for me to the daughter of the Everglots. A woman I’ve never even spoken to – goodness, I don’t even know if I’ve even met her face to face! I can feel my teacup start to shake in my hand. Married. I’m going to get married. I’m only nineteen, how can I get married?! “W-when did t-this come about?” I blurt, still unable to wrap my mind around the idea.
“Oh, we’ve been discussing it all through December,” Father puts in, smiling benevolently. “We finalized things shortly before Christmas.”
And I’m only hearing about it now?! A flicker of anger flares up in me, only to die in the face of my increasing nervousness. No, this can’t be happening. I can’t get married. Not yet. I’m not prepared for it in the slightest. There must be something I can say that’ll change their minds. “M-Mother, Father, I – I don’t–” I start.
“Don’t? Victor, there’s no ‘don’t’ about it,” Mother cuts me off, voice cold. “You can’t say you won’t do it. Think about our social standing! Everything’s all settled, anyway. It would be a terrible scandal if you refused now.”
Her tone says it all – the subject is closed. I nod weakly and look down into my tea, feeling my stomach trying to tie itself into a knot. Married. To a woman I don’t even know.
I’ll try to speak to them again later – they have to see I’m just not ready.
4/26/2011: Twosday This Way, That Way – Nell's Perspective
Prompt: Tonight we invite you to tell us two versions of the same story.
Time Period: December 1879, right before Secundus (which starts in January 1880 for reference)
Notes: Another "one prompt, two stories" post! So, what was Nell thinking when she dropped the bombshell that Victor was soon to be married?
“Incidentally, Victor, we have an announcement to make.”
I can’t help but grin at Victor as he looks up from his tea. I’m just so excited! William and I have been waiting to tell him this since before Christmas – I was all for telling him the minute we all came to an agreement, but William thought it might be a bit much for him right before a holiday. And I have to agree, our boy has the worst nerves of anyone I’ve ever seen. But he’ll be excited about this, I know it! “Yes Mother?” he asks, obviously curious.
I glance at William, seeing the happiness reflected in his eyes. This is the big moment! “The Everglots have agreed to let you marry their daughter! You’re going to be wed in about a month!” I almost squeal (but only almost – squealing is not for those who are soon to join the upper classes).
Victor’s reaction is rather less than satisfactory. He stares at me, shock written all over his features. I can’t help frowning – what’s wrong? Did he not understand what I just said? “What’s with you now?”
“I – I – w-wed?” he stammers out – ugh, I hate that habit of his. He really needs to get that tongue of his under control. And why does he sound so – so frightened about the whole prospect? Doesn’t he know what an honor this is?
Actually, perhaps he doesn’t. Victor never pays any proper attention to the noble classes, silly boy that he is. I’ve told him time and time again he can’t spend all his time with the butterflies. . . . Still, maybe it is best to explain the situation a bit more. “Yes, wed! Ourselves and the Everglots have come to an agreement – we need the standing, and they apparently need a bit of a loan – so you’re going to marry their daughter,” I say proudly. Perhaps it’s a bit wrong of me to be so glad that the Everglots are having financial troubles, but I can’t quite bring myself to care. “Imagine it, Victor! You’re going to wed the descendant of a Grand Duke!” Finally, William and I will have real standing in this community! Nobody could accuse us of being uncouth when we’ve been joined to this family!
Victor’s still looking inappropriately nervous – he’s even rattling his teacup! For goodness’s sake, will he ever get over his nerves? I’m so tired of him looking like a fool in front of others. And there’s not even anything to be nervous about here! “W-when did t-this come about?” he asks abruptly.
“Oh, we’ve been discussing it all through December,” William answers, with his usual smile. “We finalized things shortly before Christmas.” A better gift I couldn’t ask for, I might add.
Victor continues to shake. “M-Mother, Father, I – I don’t–”
He’s not. He’s not actually saying that he doesn’t – the little ingrate! After all the trouble we went through to arrange this! “Don’t? Victor, there’s no ‘don’t’ about it,” I tell him coldly, stopping him right there. “You can’t say you won’t do it. Think about our social standing! Everything’s all settled, anyway. It would be a terrible scandal if you refused now.”
That silences him – he nods briefly, then stares down into his tea. I huff and take a sip from my own cup, wondering how on earth I managed to give birth to a boy like that.
Perhaps it’ll be best if Miss Everglot doesn’t meet him until the last possible second.
